Should Utah ban smoking in company cars?

Public health • Health officials take public comment on rule change to protect drivers from third-hand smoke.

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Tired of sharing a company car with someone who smokes?

Now is your chance to weigh in on a proposed Utah Department of Health rule change to ban smoking in company vehicles, such as freight liners, delivery trucks and taxis.

The change is meant to clarify that the state's Indoor Clean Air Act applies to all work places, whether that happens to be an office or a truck, said Steve Hadden with the state's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. Currently, smoking is permitted in company vehicles as long as non-smokers aren't present.

It follows a similar legislative attempt by Rep. Lee Perry, R-Perry, to protect workers from third-hand smoke, the toxic residue that clings to a car's windows and upholstery long after a smoker is gone.

"The Legislature felt that clarification of the rule would be sufficient," Hadden said.

The rule is open for public scrutiny through May 15. You can send comments in writing to Ronald Marsden at rmarsden@utah.gov, call 801-538-6191 or send a fax to 801-538-6564.

You can find a copy of the rule at http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/bull_pdf/2013/b20130415.pdf.